State lawmakers moved ahead Wednesday with a controversial plan to suspend much of a statewide K-12 testing program for a year, despite objections by federal education officials who threatened to withhold federal funds.

Halting the testing would come during a transition year as the state implements new computerized standardized tests based on new Common Core standards.

The bill, which was approved by the Senate and Assembly this week, is headed for the governor's desk for signature.

Yes
48% (516)

No
52% (570)

1086 total votes.

It calls for nearly all of the Standardized Testing and Reporting, or STAR program, to be suspended while field tests are done of the new computerized assessments that will be based on learning goals known as Common Core, which stress critical thinking over rote memorization.

"California's shift to the Common Core is about helping students meet the challenges of a changing of a changing world, and AB 484 recognizes that updating the way we teach students also means updating the way we test them," state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a statement Wednesday. "Lawmakers see that our students must graduate with more than knowledge but with the ability to apply that knowledge to work collaboratively and solve problems."

However, critics are unhappy that the state plans to largely forgo reporting test scores for a year. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan this week released a statement criticizing the plan, saying that parents and officials use the test scores to judge the performance of schools and school districts.

He threatened to withhold federal funds if California decides to exempt millions of students from state assessments.

"A request from California to not measure the achievement of millions of students this year is not something we could approve in good conscience. Raising standards to better prepare students for college and careers is absolutely the right thing to do, but letting an entire school year pass for millions of students without sharing information on their schools' performance with them and their families is the wrong way to go about this transition,” Duncan said. “No one wants to over-test, but if you are going to support all students' achievement, you need to know how all students are doing.”

Duncan said, as an alternative, California could either allow students to “field test” the new assessments or take the current tests as they transition to new standards.

“While standards and tests may not match up perfectly yet, backing away entirely from accountability and transparency is not good for students, parents, schools and districts,” he added.

Despite those objections, Gov. Jerry Brown intends to sign the bill.

“We support the legislation. California will continue to focus on the new and rigorous Common Core standards," said Jim Evans, a Brown spokesman. "There is no reason to double-test students using outdated, ineffective standards disconnected from what’s taught in the classroom.”

The bill was supported by state education officials, school districts and teacher unions.

The Senate approved the measure Tuesday on a 25-7 vote. Among the San Diego County delegation, state Sen. Marty Block (D-San Diego) and Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) voted in support and Sen. Mark Wyland, (R-Solana Beach) and Sen. Joel Anderson (R-La Mesa) voted no.